DIY Make-Up Remover

It wasn’t long ago that I used to spend a fortune on my beauty care routine. I’m almost embarrassed to admit I spent upwards of $100 a month on anti-aging, anti-acne, anti-anything-you-can-think-of skin care systems that were often complicated to follow.

But the one thing I thought I was getting a bargain on was my make-up remover towelettes from the drugstore. For just about $5 a month, I got a pack of 30 towelettes. Seems like a great deal right?

Well, a few years ago I started to really look at the labels on the foods we ate and the products we used on our bodies. And I was shocked to find out that my favorite brand of make-up remover towelettes contained some seriously questionable ingredients.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t even pronounce a bunch of those words, let alone even know what they are. Most of them fall in the 3-5 range in the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database (which rates ingredients in beauty and personal care products on a 0-10 scale, 0 is the least toxic, 10 is the most toxic).

But two ingredients landed in the 7-8 range out of 10. The fragrance (which could contain hundreds of chemical ingredients to make up the aroma) rated 8 for allergies, irritation and possible organ system toxicity. DMDM Hydantoin (a formaldehyde releaser – yeah, that same formaldehyde used in funeral homes) rated 7 as its been linked with allergies, irritation and even cancer, according to the EWG.

Ugh, seriously? Allergies, irritation, formaldehyde releaser? There has to be something better, right?

Yep, there is. You can make your own DIY Make-Up Remover Pads. And once you see how easy it is to make (and how much your skin will love it), you’ll be wishing you started using them sooner.

Make Your Own DIY Make-Up Remover Pads

It’s so incredibly easy to make your own DIY Make-Up Remover Pads. Literally, it’s just two ingredients: carrier oil and essential oils.

So how does it work? Well, if you haven’t already, sign up for my free 14-day email course to learn all about essential oils. There you will learn that carrier oils are nut or vegetable oils that can be used to dilute essential oils for topical use. Popular carrier oils include: almond oil, apricot kernal oil, argan oil, coconut oil, olive oil, sesame oil, etc.

You’ll also learn that oil attracts oil. Those conventional, store-bought make-up remover towelettes have to use harsh chemicals to remove make-up, which can make skin dry or prone to breakouts. But really, the make-up, dirt and grime on your face all contain the natural oils that your body naturally produces. So the best way to remove make-up, dirt and grime? Use oil to attract oil.

Believe me, the first time I tried it I was so skeptical. But you know what? Just one swipe over my eyes and most of my eye make-up came off – even my waterproof mascara. With my old make-up towelettes, I had rub my eyes like crazy (which I’m sure caused some eyelash casualties) to get all the make-up off. Now I just gently rub a few times and it’s all gone.

All you need to do is wet a cotton pad or ball with this DIY Make-Up Remover, and then swipe it over the face. Everything comes off, and your face will feel amazing afterwards. Follow up with the oil cleansing method or try my Homemade Face Wash.

And the cost? I love almond oil, so I prefer it in this recipe. A 4 oz. bottle of almond oil will last me about 3-4 months and it’s less than $4. Compare that to my old make-up remover towelettes that cost me about $5 a month. That measures up to be about $4 vs. $15 for a three-month supply.

About the Ingredients

Almond oil is an excellent base for this DIY make-up remover. It’s made from pressed almond, and very nourishing to the skin. It won’t clog pores, and promotes clear, soft, healthy skin.

Essential Oils provide a natural, non-toxic fragrance and help to soothe skin. I only use Young Living essential oils (where to buy) for my baby. These are therapeutic-grade, organic essential oils.

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Hi! I was planning on making my own remover with almond oil too as I find coconut oil tends to solidify at room temperature (I’m in Scotland, it’s cold!) and this is one of the only easy ones I could find! Would the solution work if you diluted it with distilled water? Concentrated oil works really well but prolonged use can provoke outbreaks for me :(. Thank you!!

I agree, coconut oil is too heavy for the face for me personally. Almond oil is light and gets all of the dirt and grime off. Do not dilute with water. The oil itself helps to remove the dirt, make-up and grime. You can wash your face after you use this make-up remover.

Disclaimer: The information on Don’t Mess with Mama is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. I am not a medical professional and the information contained on this blog should not be used to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease or health illness. Consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented here.

The statements on Don't Mess with Mama have not been evaluated by the FDA (US Food & Drug Administration). Disclosure and disclaimer.

Don't Mess with Mama is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.